Description of Utah's System
Substance abuse and Mental Health services in Utah are provided through Community Substance Abuse and Mental Health Programs and the State Hospital. The Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health is the state substance abuse and mental health authority and county governing bodies are the local substance abuse and mental health authorities. Advocacy organizations, though not part of the public system are important in policy formation and service planning and delivery.

Local Authorities organize in a variety of ways to provide services:

Funding the System
Funding comes from a combination of federal, state, county and private funds. Members of the Utah Behavioral Healthcare Network are the Medicaid managed care providers of these public services in Utah. Most mental health centers provide services to Medicaid clients under a captitated, managed care plan. Substance Abuse Services and one small mental health center provide Medicaid services under fee for service plans. Medicaid provides approximately 43% of all funding for mental health and substance abuse combined. State appropriations must be matched by a minimum of 20% by local authorities, Federal block grants and contracts, collections and private contributions provide the balance of the funding sources.